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Stem Cell Trials get green light 

Jessica through to the live final! Be an audience member.

 

(l-r) Jessica Kurten with ICA mentor Marie McGuirk

We had snappy lobsters, custard, muck, a wall-papering contest, the make and model challenge where bedsheets were transformed into party outfits and finally the offal dish!!

Show-jumper Jessica Kurten has qualified for the Grand Final of Charity ICA Bootcamp. Jessica will now face the public vote for the grand title of Charity ICA Bootcamp Recruit of the Year 2011.

By getting into the final Jessica has secured MS Ireland €20,000 and more will come through the proceeds from the voting in the live finals. Jessica is raising money for the Friends of the MS Care Centre appeal, which will help fund essential repairs and maintenance in the only respite and therapy centre for people with MS in Ireland.

The live finals will be presented by Blaithnaid Ní Chófaigh, the final week of ICA Bootcamp will unfold over three live episodes on the 16th, 17th and 20th of August at 9:30pm on RTÉ One.

Supporters Needed!!

We are looking for supporters to join us to cheer Jessica on through the live finals in An Grianan, ICA HQ in Termonfeckin, Co Louth. Complimentary buses will be leaving and returning to Dublin city centre. The audience area is accessible to wheelchairs. If you want to come along to the live finals next week, contact Eilish on 01 678 1600 or by email. Looking forward to seeing you there!

To Vote for Jessica

Text: ICA 2 to 53125

In the ROI Call: 1513 71 71 02

Northern Ireland voters Call: 0901 6565 802

Show-jumper Jessica chooses MS Ireland for RTE’s Charity ICA Bootcamp...

Communication on the progress to date...

and the lucky winners are...

National Chairman wins International Award

(l-r) Allen O’Connor was presented with MSIF’s 2011 James D. Wolfensohn Award for International Person with MS by Peer Baneke of MSIF

MS Ireland is delighted to announce that Chairman Allen O'Connor has been declared the 2011 winner of the James D Wolfensohn Award for International Person with MS. The award, presented by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), recognises the valuable contribution people with MS make to the worldwide fight against MS.

Allen has been active at a local, national and international front, continuously advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and people with MS. In his time he has been involved in many Irish organizations such as the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities and the Disabled Drivers Association. He has also held posts in the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) and MSIF.

It was in 1993 that Allen first became involved with MS Ireland, first as a local branch treasurer, followed by National Treasurer. He became a Director in 1999 and was elected Chairman in 2002. He is currently Chairman of the organisation. This is indeed his second term as Chairman.

Allen says he is humbled to have received the award,

"I am truly honoured to win the award. There are so many of us who try to make the voice of people with MS heard in their own countries and abroad. I believe passionately that people with MS can live positive, fruitful lives with the correct support. I hope I have play a part in ensuring that support is there for people with MS and their families.”  

Allen lives in Cork with his wife June. They have two adult children, Gayle and Shane. He became a grandfather in 2010. He is a retired bank manager. Allen was diagnosed with MS in 1985 after a number of personal tragedies.

The Wolfensohn Award is a biennial award made by MSIF to recognise the valuable contribution people with MS make to the worldwide fight against the disease. The award is named after James D. Wolfensohn, former President of MSIF.

Peer Baneke, MSIF Chief Executive, said, “So many people with MS drive the worldwide fight against the disease. The Wolfensohn Award exists to shine a light on them. All the nominees this year showed remarkable qualities, but Allen stood out because of his tireless campaigning for people with disabilities, both in Ireland and internationally, and his leadership of MS organisations".

Further Informaton:

View video

Read more about Allen and his achievements

Charity 25 is delighted to announce that BAFTA nominee Mrs Agnes Brown (Aka Brendan O'Carroll) has agreed to become the main patron and face of their charity.

European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use issues positive opinion on marketing authorisation application for FAMPYRA.

MS Ireland joins coalition of patient groups to launch initiative to fight for rights of people in chronic pain. 

Answer Ireland’s Call: Annalisa Flanagan, Co. Down, holder of the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s loudest shout, joined forces today with former Ireland Rugby International Malcolm O’Kelly to launch a new health awareness campaign entitled Can You Feel My Pain?

MS Ireland has joined forces with Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Chronic Pain Ireland and leading Patient Advocacy Groups and Citizen Organisations across Europe to raise awareness and generate support for the 13% of people living with chronic pain in Ireland today.

The Can You Feel My Pain? campaign will harness the huge opportunity presented by the Internet and social networks to reach a wide audience, raising awareness and generating support for real change in the field of chronic pain.

The campaign is hosted on the Chronic Pain Ireland website and we’re asking all our members to play a vital role by signing the petition online

The ‘Bill of Rights’ – a chance to register your support

The Bill of Right consists of five key rights that we believe will help improve quality of life for those affected by chronic pain. These rights draw upon examples from other organisations (European Charter of Patients’ Rights2 and Chronic Pain Ireland’s Charter of Rights3) and call for improvements in the understanding and management of chronic pain.

Getting involved – the vital role you can play

Many of you will have experienced first-hand the dramatic impact chronic pain can have on all aspects of life. To fight for improvements in the management of chronic pain we first need to improve awareness and understanding.

By signing up to the Bill of Rights, you’ll be helping to drive change in the way chronic pain is perceived and the priority it is given. It’s time to make a difference and have your say!

Further reading:

Download CYFMP Press Release

References

1 Breivik H, Collett B, Ventafridda V, Cohen R, Gallacher D. Survey of chronic pain in Europe: prevalence, impact on daily life, and treatment. Eur J Pain 2006;10:287-333.

2 ‘European Charter of Patients’ Rights’ Active Citizenship Network, 2002.  http://www.chronicpainireland.org/index.php?q=membership. Last accessed July 010www.adexo.pt/internacional/EuropeanCharterofPatientsRightsEnglish.pdf. Last accessed July 2010

3 ‘Charter of Rights for people living with Chronic Pain’ Chronic Pain Ireland

The campaign is being launched nationally by Chronic Pain Ireland with support from Pfizer Healthcare Ireland